Associate/Senior Associate - Construction - Reading - 3PQE +

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services. If you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

What to expect

As a lawyer, you enjoy a variety of work: regional to international and across practice groups. With us, you grow your global mindset. You’re encouraged to put ideas into action and there’s always something new and different to get involved in. We see the fast-moving world as a place where we can all thrive and succeed. We’re excited for what’s next, so with us, you can be too.

Our team

MLS is a novel and pretty unique arrangement for the provision of legal services. Eversheds Sutherland is servicing a multi-year managed legal services contract with a utilities client. The team is involved in advising the client on a very wide range of day-to-day legal matters including competition, projects and planning, regulation, construction, real estate, commercial contracts, tax, disputes, energy, employment and health and safety.

The MLS On-Site Team

The On-Site Team currently consists of around 20 solicitors, barristers and paralegals and a small management team. The team is embedded within the client, sitting in the client’s head office in central Reading alongside the client’s retained legal function. The On-Site Team is split into 6 practice teams:

• Property
• Commercial
• Litigation
• Construction
• Operations and Regulatory
• Competition

Role and key responsibilities

The Construction team currently consists of 2 lawyers. We have a vacancy due to additional major projects work coming into the team. This role will report to the Principal Lawyer within the Construction team. The team works 2-3 days in the office per week and the rest of the time remotely.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing clear and concise legal advice and support to the client, having regard to the client’s business objectives, and delivering practical, creative and commercial solutions and value within budget and time constraints, whilst ensuring that risks are understood and mitigated.
• Taking instructions from the client and advising on the law and legal issues.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial/construction agreements and other legal documents tailored to the client’s needs.
• Attending meetings and negotiations as legal adviser with opposing parties.
• Ensuring, as far as possible, that the client’s governance processes are observed as regards matters with which the construction lawyer deals.
• Advising on variation and delay claims and assisting with the resolution of disputes concerning construction contracts.
• Monitoring the suitability of the client’s contract precedents, processes and procedures and amending them and providing training as necessary.
• Managing a caseload as well as acting as a point of reference to assist with queries.
• Identifying ways to add value and improve internal efficiencies, including process improvements.
• Supervising and delegating work to paralegals and support staff as appropriate.
• Liaising with professionals and other operatives in both the client’s business and externally.
• Keeping up to date with all relevant legal, legislative, regulatory and industry developments relevant to the legal specialism, informing and updating the team, and providing proactive updates to facilitate the client’s operational activities.
• Designing and delivering legal training to the client’s business and management teams.
• Undertaking a range of continuing professional development (CPD) activities ensuring efficient knowledge transfer across the legal team.
• Complying with all service level agreements and KPIs, including accurately recording time and meeting reporting obligations.
• Obtaining regular client feedback.

Skills and experience

We are looking for:

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with 3+ years’ post qualification experience (PQE) in construction law. We are keen to hear from candidates who are bright, keen and able to pick up new skills quickly, so even if you have only the minimum PQE (or equivalent experience), please do not let that put you off applying. Knowledge of the utility sector would be useful but is not essential.
• In-house experience useful (but not essential).
• A detailed knowledge and understanding of:
  • English construction law;
  • drafting and negotiation of construction contracts;
  • familiarity with target cost contracts such as NEC (and IChemE);
  • two-stage contracting (e.g. under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement or under a two-stage construction contract);
  • framework agreements;
  • advising employers and project managers on variation and delay claims; and
  • settlement and variation agreements.
• A working knowledge and understanding of:
  • construction contract disputes & dispute resolution;
  • joint ventures;
  • governance advice;
  • the impact of CAR, PL and PII insurance on contract drafting; and
  • bonds, guarantees and collateral warranties.
• An awareness and understanding of:
  • public procurement;
  • constraints on clients operating in a heavily regulated sector; and
  • general aspects of securitisation.
• Knowledge or experience of the following is preferred, but not expected or required:
  • NRSWA powers and cost sharing;
  • Water Industry Act (WIA) works powers (or similar powers in other utility sectors);
  • permitted development rights;
  • HGCRA Adjudication;
  • DCO (or equivalent) protective provisions;
  • s.104 or s.51A WIA adoption agreements; and
  • environmental permitting.
• Ability to work alone with confidence and self-discipline, taking ownership of tasks and able to demonstrate sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Flexible working “can do” attitude, adaptability to change and ability to respond to competing deadlines.
• Eagerness to build expertise in new areas of law or technical understanding.
• Organised and good at managing time effectively, using appropriate systems and processes.
• Use of appropriate, professional and client-friendly language.
• Good relationship builder with strong interpersonal skills and highly team-oriented.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• we’re fair, transparent and equitable
• we reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance
• we support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working
• we support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support
• we support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion
• we provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs
• we provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure
• we provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement
• we help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

For you,

For your success.

And what's next.